The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Rumination, Maladaptive Thought Interpretation, and Existential Anxiety in Individuals with Scrupulosity

Articles in Press

Document Type : Englise Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Khoy Branch, Iran.

2 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz Branch, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract

Scrupulosity, the religious subtype of obsessive–compulsive disorder, is characterized by rumination, threat-based interpretations of intrusive thoughts, and existential anxiety. The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on these three components. This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest design with a control group and follow-up. Forty individuals with scrupulosity were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received ten sessions of MBCT adapted to the participants’ religious context. The measurement instruments included the Ruminative Response Scale, the Dysfunctional Thought Questionnaire, and the Existential Anxiety Inventory. Data were analyzed using MANCOVA and ANCOVA in SPSS version 26. Findings indicated that MBCT produced a significant reduction in rumination, dysfunctional thought interpretations, and existential anxiety at posttest (p < .01). These effects were maintained at follow-up. The subscales of existential anxiety—including meaning, responsibility, isolation, and death—also showed significant reductions. Effect sizes ranged from moderate to large. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy can effectively and relatively durably reduce rumination, dysfunctional interpretations of thoughts, and existential anxiety in individuals with scrupulosity. Implementing culturally and religiously sensitive adaptations of MBCT may further enhance its therapeutic effectiveness.

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Research in Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 03 October 2026

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History

  • Receive Date: 19 December 2025
  • Revise Date: 20 May 2026
  • Accept Date: 03 October 2026

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